Liquid shield member for a paper product container

ABSTRACT

A liquid shield member for a paper product container is provided. The shield member may include a water impermeable tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall. The side wall of the tray may include at least one contact portion that is capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container. The contact portion may extend inwardly. The paper product container may fit within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the contact portion of the side wall of the tray. The shield member may also include a plastic film material wrapped around at least a portion of the container, where the film material is perforated to form a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the film material is removed from the container, and the first portion of the film material remains covering at least a bottom wall of the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid shield member for a paper product container, such as a facial tissue dispenser, and, in particular, to a liquid impermeable shield member that surrounds at least a bottom wall of the container to protect the container from any liquid, such as water, present on a surface on which the container rests.

[0002] A paper product container, such as a facial tissue dispenser, is usually made of cardboard material and is often placed on a countertop surface in kitchens and bathrooms, often near a sink. These containers may be covered with a decorative cover shell made of plastic, wood, metal, composites, or a combination of the foregoing. Sometimes, the countertops on which the cardboard containers have been placed are wet or become wet from water from the sink. When a countertop is wet, water may be absorbed by the cardboard container, thereby ruining the paper products inside the container. Wetting of the container may occur with or without a decorative shell covering the container. Accordingly, the present invention provides a liquid shield member for a paper product container to protect the paper products inside the container from damage by any liquid present on a countertop surface on which the container rests.

[0003] The present invention is directed to a liquid shield member for a paper product container. In one embodiment, the liquid shield member comprises a water impermeable tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, where the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray. The tray may be of a shape and a size so that the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray. The paper product container may be frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container fits within and contacts at least one inner surface of at least one side wall of the tray.

[0004] The tray may include a plurality of side walls. A plurality of side walls of the container may fit within and contact a plurality of inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray. At least a portion of at least one side wall of the tray may have an inner dimension about equal to an outer dimension of at least one side wall of the container. Outer dimensions of the plurality of side walls of the tray may be about equal to outer dimensions of side walls of the container and maximum respective thicknesses of two opposing side walls of the tray.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a thickness of the at least one side wall of the tray may be greater than or equal to about {fraction (1/32)} inch, or may be greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch. According to another embodiment, a thickness of the at least one side wall of the tray may be less than or equal to about {fraction (3/32)} inch, or may be less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch.

[0006] The at least one side wall of the tray may include at least one contact portion capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container. The paper product container may be frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one contact portion. In one embodiment, the at least one contact portion comprises at least one rib extending inwardly from an inner surface of the at least one side wall of the tray, and the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that the at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one rib. In another embodiment, the at least one contact portion comprises at least one indentation, the at least one side wall of the tray includes the at least one indentation extending inwardly, and the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one indentation.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the height of the at least one side wall of the tray may be less than or equal to about ½ of the height of a respective at least one side wall of the container. In one embodiment, the height of the at least one side wall of the tray may be greater than or equal to about ⅛ inch, or may be greater than or equal to about {fraction (3/16)} inch. In another embodiment, the height of the at least one side wall of the tray may be less than or equal to about ⅓ inch, or may be less than or equal to about {fraction (11/16)} inch.

[0008] In one embodiment, the liquid shield member for a paper product container includes a water impermeable tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, where the at least one side wall of the tray includes at least one contact portion extending inwardly that is capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container. The paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the contact portion of the at least one side wall of the tray.

[0009] In one embodiment, the at least one contact portion comprises at least one rib extending inwardly from an inner surface of the at least one side wall of the tray. The paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one rib. The tray may include a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of ribs extending inwardly from inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray so that the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts at least one rib of the plurality of ribs.

[0010] In another embodiment, the at least one contact portion comprises at least one indentation, where the at least one side wall of the tray includes the at least one indentation extending inwardly. The paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one indentation. The tray may include a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of indentations, where a plurality of the side walls of the tray each includes at least one indentation extending inwardly, so that the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts at least one indentation of the plurality of indentations.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the at least one rib or indentation may extend inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (30/1000)} inch, or a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch. According to another embodiment, the at least one rib or indentation may extend inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (100/1000)} inch, or a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch. The at least one rib or indentation may comprise any art recognized shape including, but not limited to, at least one of a trapezoid shape, a U-shape, a triangular shape, an arcuate shape, a curvilinear shape, and a half-circle shape. The at least one rib may be formed integrally with the at least one side wall, or may be formed separately from the at least one side wall and then attached to the at least one side wall.

[0012] In another embodiment, the liquid shield member for a paper product container includes a plastic film material wrapped around at least a portion of the container, where the film material is perforated to form a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the film material is removed from the container, and the first portion of the film material remains covering at least a bottom wall of the container. The first portion of the film material may also cover at least portions of side walls of the container. The film material may be perforated to form a perforated line around a circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the perforated line may be positioned greater than or equal to about ⅛ inch from the bottom wall of the container, or may be positioned greater than or equal to about {fraction (3/16)} inch from the bottom wall of the container. In one embodiment, the perforated line may be positioned less than or equal to about ¾ inch from the bottom wall of the container, or may be positioned less than or equal to about {fraction (11/16)} inch from the bottom wall of the container.

[0013] The present invention is also directed to a method of protecting a paper product container from liquid, wherein the paper product container is capable of being placed on a surface where liquid may be present. The method comprises surrounding at least a bottom wall of the container with a water impermeable shield member. The shield member may also surround portions of side walls of the container. The method may also include placing a cover shell over the container and the shield member.

[0014] In one embodiment, the shield member may comprise a water impermeable tray that includes at least one side wall and a bottom wall. The method further comprises surrounding at least the bottom wall of the container with the shield member by placing the paper product container within the tray so that the paper product container is frictionally retained by the at least one side wall of the tray. The at least one side wall and the bottom wall of the tray protect at least the bottom wall of the container.

[0015] In another embodiment, surrounding at least the bottom wall of the container with the shield member includes wrapping a plastic film material around at least a portion of the container, wherein the film material includes perforations; tearing the film material along the perforations to separate the film material into a first portion and a second portion; and removing the second portion of the film material from the container, while the first portion of the film material remains covering at least the bottom wall of the container. The first portion may also remain to cover portions of side walls of the container. The method may also include placing a cover shell over the container after the second portion of the film material has been removed.

[0016] In one embodiment, wrapping the film material includes shrink wrapping a shrink-wrap film material around at least a portion of the container. In another embodiment, wrapping the film material includes wrapping the film material tightly around at least a portion of the container and then sealing the film by heat around at least a portion of the container.

[0017] In one embodiment, an adhesive may be provided to adhere the first portion of the film material to the container. The adhesive may be a continuous line of adhesive provided around the circumference of the container at a height below the perforated line. In the alternative, the adhesive may be a non-continuous line of adhesive provided around the circumference of the container at a height below the perforated line.

[0018] Another method includes providing a water impermeable tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, where the at least one side wall of the tray includes at least one contact portion capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container. The method further includes placing the paper product container within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the contact portion. The at least one side wall and the bottom wall of the tray protect the container. The method may also include placing a cover shell over the container and the tray.

[0019] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0020] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a liquid shield member for a paper product container of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a top view of the liquid shield member shown in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a side view of the liquid shield member shown in FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the use of the liquid shield member shown in FIG. 1 with a paper product container and a cover shell;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the liquid shield member and the paper product container shown in FIG. 4, wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the liquid shield member;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the liquid shield member, paper product container, and cover shell shown in FIG. 4, wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the liquid shield member, and the cover shell is placed over the paper product container and the liquid shield member; and wherein the paper product container and the liquid shield member are shown in dotted lines to indicate that their concealment by the cover shell;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a liquid shield member for a paper product container of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a top view of the liquid shield member shown in FIG. 7;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a liquid shield member for a paper product container of the present invention; and

[0031]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the liquid shield member of FIG. 9 in use with a paper product container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a liquid shield member comprised of a tray 10 into which a paper product container 30 is placed. The tray 10 includes at least one side wall 12 and a bottom wall 20. The bottom wall 20 has a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24. The paper product container 30 may be frictionally retained by the at least one side wall 12 of the tray and may rest on the top surface 22 of the bottom wall 20 of the tray 10. The tray 10 may optionally include a plurality of side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18. If the tray 10 includes a plurality of side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18, then the paper product container 30 may be frictionally retained by the plurality of side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the tray 10.

[0034] While as shown in the FIGS. the tray 10 is square in shape, the tray 10 may comprise any art recognized shape including, but not limited to, rectangular, to accommodate a variety of shaped paper product containers, such as a rectangular facial tissue dispenser.

[0035] The tray 10 may comprise a variety of sizes depending on the size of the paper product container 30 that will fit within the tray 10. In one embodiment, at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 of the tray 10 may have an inner dimension generally equal to an outer dimension of at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the paper product container 30, respectively. In another embodiment, a plurality of side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the tray may each have an inner dimension generally equal to outer dimensions of the side walls 32, 34, 36, and 38, respectively, of the container 30.

[0036] The outer dimensions of the side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 of the tray 10 may be generally equal to the outer dimensions of the side walls 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the paper product container 30 plus maximum respective thicknesses of two opposing side walls of the tray 10. For example, the outer dimension of the tray 10 in the direction from side wall 12 to side wall 18 may be generally equal to the outer dimension of the paper product container 30 from side wall 32 to side wall 38 plus the maximum thicknesses of side walls 12 and 18. Similarly, the outer dimension of the tray 10 in the direction from side wall 14 to side wall 16 may be generally equal to the outer dimension of the paper product container 30 from side wall 34 to side wall 36 plus the maximum thicknesses of side walls 14 and 16.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 may have a thickness greater than or equal to about {fraction (1/32)} inches, such as greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch, greater than or equal to about {fraction (50/1000)} inch, and greater than or equal to about {fraction (60/1000)} inch. According to one embodiment, the side walls 12,14, 16, and/or 18 may have a thickness less than or equal to about {fraction (3/32)} inches, such as less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch, less than or equal to about {fraction (80/1000)} inch, less than or equal to about {fraction (70/1000)} inch, and less than or equal to about {fraction (1/16)} inch. It should be appreciated that the side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 may comprise any thickness. In addition, the tray 10 may be comprised of any art recognized material including, but not limited to, plastics, wood, metals, and composites. If formed of a plastic material, the tray 10 may be formed by a thermoform process or the tray 10 may be injection molded.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the use of the tray 10 with a paper product container 30 is illustrated. In one embodiment, a cover shell 50 may be utilized with the tray 10 and the paper product container 30, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the tray 10, the paper product container 30, and the cover shell 50. Referring to FIG. 5, in use, the paper product container 30 may be frictionally retained by the tray 10.

[0039] In one embodiment, “frictionally retained” means and refers to at least one outer surface of at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the paper product container 30 fitting within and contacting at least a portion of at least one inner surface of at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, and/or 18, respectively, of the tray 10.

[0040] The inner surfaces of side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 are shown numbered 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a, respectively, in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. The portion of the at least one inner surface 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, and/or 18 a that contacts the respective at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the container 30 is referred herein as the “contact portion.”

[0041] It should be appreciated that it is not the entire outer surface of each side wall 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the container 30 that would fit within the tray 10, but instead lower portions of these outer surfaces. It should also be appreciated that the lower portions of the outer surfaces of each side wall 32, 34, 36, and 38 need not contact the entire inner surface of each side wall 12, 14, 16, and 18, respectively. For example, the lower portion of the outer surface of each side wall 32, 34, 36, and 38 may contact a portion of the inner surface 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a of each side wall 12, 14, 16, and 18, respectively. It should also be appreciated that all side walls 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the container 30 need not contact all side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the tray 10. For example, the lower portion of the outer surface of side wall 32 may contact a portion of the inner surface 12 a of side wall 12, the lower portion of the outer surface of side wall 38 may contact a portion of the inner surface 18 a of side wall 18, and then walls 34, 36 do not contact walls 14, 16, respectively.

[0042] In another embodiment, “frictionally retained” means and refers to the paper product container 30 fitting within the tray 10 so that if a user picks up the container 30 and the tray 30 from a surface by only touching the container 30, the tray 10 would not fall from the container 30 back onto the surface. The tray 10 may remain on the container 30 and not fall from the container 30 at least 30 seconds, at least one minute, or a greater amount of time. In another embodiment, “frictionally retained” means and refers to, after the container 30 is initially fit within the tray, the tray 10 remaining on the container 30 at least a sufficient amount of time to allow the user to place the tray 10 and the container 30 onto a surface. This time amount may be at least 30 seconds, at least one minute, or a greater amount of time.

[0043] In yet another embodiment, the paper product container may be “frictionally retained” by the tray 10 by the tray 10 being press fit to the paper product container 30.

[0044] After the paper product container 30 is fit within the tray 10, as shown in FIG. 6, if utilized, the cover shell 50 is placed over the paper product container 30 and the tray 10. The cover shell 50 may be decorative, and generally conceals the container 30 and the tray 10. The cover shell 50 includes a plurality of side walls 52, 54, 56, and 58, and a top wall 60. The top wall 60 includes an opening 62 formed therein that corresponds to an opening 42 formed in a top wall 40 of the container 30, to allow a paper product 46 to be dispensed through the openings 42, 60.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tray 10 protects the paper product container 30 from any liquid, such as water, that may accumulate on a surface on which the container 30 rests, such as a countertop, thereby preventing liquid absorption by the container 30 and by any paper products 46 contained within the container 30. The tray 10 protects the paper product container 30 with or without the use of the cover shell 50. As shown, the tray 10 surrounds at least a bottom wall 44 of the container 30. Optionally, the tray 10 also surrounds portions of side walls 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the container 30.

[0046] In one embodiment, the tray 10 is impermeable. In one embodiment, the tray 10 is “impermeable” so that no liquid may pass through the tray 10. In another embodiment, the tray 10 is water impermeable. As used herein, a tray 10 is “water impermeable” when it allows an amount of water insufficient to cause structural damage to or structural instability in a container 30 when the container 30 is placed within the tray 10. In one embodiment, the tray 10 may be “water impermeable” when it allows no water to contact a container 30 when the container 30 is placed within the tray 10.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 8, and most clearly in FIG. 3, the tray 10 may include one or feet 29 to allow for uneven surfaces on which the tray 10 and paper product container 30 rests.

[0048] Again, at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 of the tray 10 includes at least one contact portion to provide for the paper product container 30 to be frictionally retained by the tray 10. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, in one embodiment, the contact portion is a rib or flange 26. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in another embodiment, the contact portion is an indentation 28. When the paper product container 30 is placed within the tray 10, at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the container 30 contacts the at least one contact portion 26 or 28 to provide for the container 30 to be frictionally retained by the tray 10. While the contact portion described herein includes the rib 26 or the indentation 28, the contact portion may comprise any art recognized structure that contacts and fits to a side wall 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the paper product container 30 when the container 30 is placed within the tray 10. Optionally, the contact portion extends inwardly from a portion of a side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 of the tray 10, or is a portion of the side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 that extends inwardly.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, in one embodiment, the at least one rib 26 extends inwardly from at least one inner surface of at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 to provide for the paper product container 30 to be frictionally retained by the tray 10. In another embodiment, a plurality of ribs 26 extend inwardly from a plurality of side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18. For example, four ribs 26 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, with a rib 26 extending inwardly from the inner surface 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a of each side wall 12, 14, 16, and 18, respectively. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that a plurality of ribs 26 may extend from one side wall 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 of the tray 10 as well.

[0050] As discussed above, in one embodiment, the inner dimensions of the side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the tray 10 may be generally equal to the outer dimensions of side walls 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the paper product container 30, respectively. In the embodiment where the tray 10 includes at least one rib 26, it should be appreciated that at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the paper product container 30 is somewhat flexible to allow the at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 to be deformed inwardly when the paper product container 30 is being frictionally retained by the tray 10 to accommodate the at least one rib 26. In this embodiment, “frictionally retained” may mean and refer to the at least one rib 26 contacting a portion of the outer surface of at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the paper product container 30. If the tray 10 includes four ribs 26 extending inwardly from each side wall 12, 14, 16, and 18, “frictionally retained” may mean and refer to each rib 26 contacting a portion of the outer surface of each side wall 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the paper product container 30.

[0051] One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that providing a plurality of ribs 26 allows for manufacturing variances of the outer dimensions of the paper product container 30 to allow for the paper product container 30 to be frictionally retained by the tray 10. In particular, the outer dimensions of paper product containers often vary from container to container. In addition, the outer dimensions of a particular paper product container may vary as paper products are emptied from the container. Accordingly, there is less room for tolerance between the tray 10 and the container 30 to allow for the container 30 to be frictionally retained by the tray 10 if one rib 26 is provided, as compared to if four ribs 26 are provided.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the at least one rib 26 may extend inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (30/1000)} inch, such as greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch, greater than or equal to about {fraction (50/1000)} inch, and greater than or equal to about {fraction (60/1000)} inch. According to one embodiment, the at least one rib 26 may extend inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (100/1000)} inch, such as less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch, less than or equal to about {fraction (80/1000)} inch, and less than or equal to about {fraction (70/1000)} inch. The at least one rib 26 may extend inwardly from any portion of the length of the side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18. The at least one rib 26 may comprise any art recognized shape including, but not limited to, a trapezoid shape (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4), a U-shape, a triangular shape, an arcuate shape, a curvilinear shape, or a half-circle shape. The at least one rib 26 may be formed integral with the at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18. In the alternative, the at least one rib 26 may be formed separately from the at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18, and then attached to the at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18. The at least one rib 26 may be comprised of any art recognized material including, but not limited to, plastics, wood, metals, and composites. The at least one rib 26 may be formed of the same material as the tray 10.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in another embodiment, at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 includes the at least one indentation 28 formed therein. The at least one indentation 28 extends inwardly from a portion of at least one inner surface of at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 to provide for the container 30 to be frictionally retained by the tray 10. In another embodiment, a plurality of indentations 28 extend inwardly from a plurality of side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18. For example, four indentations 28 are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, with an indentation 28 extending inwardly from the inner surface 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a of each side wall 12, 14, 16, and 18, respectively. Again, a plurality of indentations 28 may extend from one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 of the tray 10.

[0054] As with the embodiment including at least one rib 26, in the embodiment where the inner dimensions of the side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the tray 10 may be generally equal to the outer dimensions of side walls 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the container 30, at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the container 30 is somewhat flexible to allow the at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 to be deformed inwardly when the paper product container 30 is being frictionally retained by the tray 10 to accommodate the at least one indentation 28. In this embodiment, “frictionally retained” may mean and refer to the at least one indentation 28 contacting a portion of the outer surface of at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the paper product container 30. If the tray 10 includes four indentations 28 extending inwardly from each side wall 12, 14, 16, and 18, “frictionally retained” may mean and refer to each indentation 28 contacting a portion of the outer surface of each side wall 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the paper product container 30.

[0055] Also as with the rib 26, one of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that providing a plurality of indentations 28 allows for manufacturing variances of the outer dimensions of the paper product container 30 and that there is less room for tolerance between the tray 10 and the container 30 for the container 30 to be frictionally retained by the tray 10 if one indentation 28 is provided, when compared to if four indentations 28 are provided.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the at least one indentation 28 may extend inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (30/1000)} inch, such as greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch, greater than or equal to about {fraction (50/1000)} inch, and greater than or equal to about {fraction (60/1000)} inch. According to one embodiment, the at least one indentation 28 may extend inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (100/1000)} inch, such as less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch, less than or equal to about {fraction (80/1000)} inch, and less than or equal to about {fraction (70/1000)} inch. The at least one indentation 28 may extend inwardly from any portion of the length of the side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18. The at least one indentation 28 may comprise any art recognized shape including, but not limited to, a U-shape (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8), a trapezoid shape, a triangular shape, an arcuate shape, a curvilinear shape, or a half-circle shape.

[0057] It should be appreciated that the inner dimensions of the side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 of the tray 10 may be much larger than the outer dimensions of side walls 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the paper product container 30, respectively. In one embodiment, the contact portion(s) of the side wall 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 may extend inwardly the distance from the inner surface 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, and/or 18 a of side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18, respectively, of the tray 10 to the outer surface(s) of the side wall 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the container 30. For example, for a paper product container that is about 4½ inches in length by about 4½ inches in width, and with a tray that is about 6 inches in length by about 6 inches in width, the contact portion(s) 26 or 28 may generally extend inwardly a distance of 6 inches minus 4½ inches, or 1½ inches.

[0058] In another embodiment, at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 is comprised of a particular height dimension with respect to the height of side walls 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the paper product container 30. The height of the at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 is generally less than or equal to about ½ of the height of the respective side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the container 30. For example, for a paper product container 30 that includes a side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 that is about 5 inches in height, the at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 is generally less than or equal to about 2½ inches in height.

[0059] In one embodiment, the height of the at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 may be greater than or equal to about ⅛ inch, such as greater than or equal to about {fraction (3/16)} inch, greater than or equal to about ¼ inch, greater than or equal to about {fraction (5/16)} inch, and greater than or equal to about ⅜ inch. In another embodiment, the height of the at least one side wall 12, 14, 16, or 18 may be less than or equal to ¾ inch, such as less than or equal to about {fraction (11/16)} inch, less than or equal to about ⅝ inch, less than or equal to about {fraction (9/16)} inch, less than or equal to about ½ inch, and less than or equal to about {fraction (7/16)} inch.

[0060] It should be appreciated that two or more side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 may comprise generally the same height, although the side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 may comprise different heights. It should also be appreciated that if the height of the side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 of the tray 10 is too short, then the tray 10 would easily fall off of the container 30 when the container 30 was lifted from a surface. On the other hand, if the height of the side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 is too high, then it would not be easy to place the container 30 within the side walls 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 of the tray 10.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a liquid shield member comprised of a plastic film material 70 that is initially wrapped around at least a portion of the paper product container 30, wherein the plastic film 70 includes perforations so that a portion of the plastic film 72 may be removed from the container 30, while another portion of the plastic film 70 remains surrounding at least the bottom wall 44 of the container 30. The plastic film 70 may be perforated anywhere relative to the container 30 that allows a first portion 74 to remain surrounding at least the bottom wall 44 of the container 30, while allowing a second portion 76 to be removed from the container 30 in order to gain access into the container 30 through the opening 42 of the container 30.

[0062] The plastic film 70 may be comprised of any art recognized plastic film including, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, or Kyler. As with the tray 10, in one embodiment, the plastic film 70 may be impermeable, and, in another embodiment, the plastic film 70 may be water impermeable. The plastic film 70 may be a standard film or a shrink-wrap film. While as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 there is space between the container 30 and the plastic film 70, in one embodiment, the plastic film 70 may be wrapped tightly around the container 30. The space between the container 30 and the plastic film 70 is shown to illustrate the plastic film 70. In one embodiment, the plastic film 70 is a shrink-wrap film that is shrunk wrap around the container 30. In another embodiment, the plastic film 70 is a standard film that is wrapped tightly around the container 30 (such as in a wrapper, a device well-known in the paper industry) and then heated to seal the film around the container 30. The plastic film 70 may be a clear film, or may be printed with indicia.

[0063] The perforated line 72 may be formed in the plastic film 70 before the plastic film 70 is wrapped around the container 30. Any art recognized device may form the perforations of the perforated line 72 in the plastic film 70 including, but not limited to, a wrapper, again a device well-known in the paper industry.

[0064] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the plastic film 70 includes a perforated line 72 provided around the circumference of the container 30. While the perforated line 72 is shown as being horizontal in FIGS. 9 and 10, it should be appreciated that the perforated line 72 may comprise non-horizontal portions. The perforated line 72 may be positioned at any position relative to the bottom wall 44 of the container 30, including proximal the bottom of the container 30, as well as proximal the top of the container 30. In one embodiment, the perforated line 72 may be positioned less than or equal to about ½ of the height of at least one side wall 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the container 30.

[0065] In the embodiment shown, the perforated line 72 is positioned proximal to the bottom wall 44. In one embodiment, the perforated line 72 may be positioned greater than or equal to about ⅛ inches from the bottom wall 44 of the container 30, such as greater than or equal to about {fraction (3/16)} inch, greater than or equal to about ¼ inch, greater than or equal to about {fraction (5/16)} inch, and greater than or equal to about ⅜ inch. In one embodiment, the perforated line 72 may be positioned less than or equal to about ¾ inch from the bottom wall 44 of the container 30, such as less than or equal to about {fraction (11/16)} inch, less than or equal to about ⅝ inch, less than or equal to about {fraction (9/16)} inch, less than or equal to about ½ inch, and less than or equal to about {fraction (7/16)} inch.

[0066] In another embodiment (not shown), the plastic film 70 includes a perforated line that is provided around a circumference of the opening 42 of the container 30.

[0067] In one embodiment, an adhesive may be provided to adhere the first portion 74 of the plastic film 70 to the container 30. The adhesive may comprise any art recognized material capable of adhering the first portion 74 of the plastic film 70 to the container 30 including, but not limited to, glue. In one embodiment (not shown), the adhesive may be a continuous line of adhesive provided around the circumference of the container 30 at a height below the perforated line 72. In another embodiment (not shown), the adhesive may be a non-continuous line of adhesive provided around the circumference of the container 30 at a height below the perforated line 72. In another embodiment (not shown), the adhesive may be one or more spots of adhesive provided around the circumference of the container 30 at a height below the perforated line 72. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the adhesive may be one or more spots of adhesive provided between the plastic film 70 and the bottom wall 44 of the container 30. The adhesive may be applied to either the plastic film 70 or the container 30 before adhering the first portion 74 to one or more side walls 32, 34, 36, or 38 of the container 30. The adhesive may be a spray adhesive. It should, however, be appreciated that an adhesive may not be not required where the plastic film 70 is shrunk wrap around the container 30, or where the plastic film 70 is wrapped tightly around the container 30 and then sealed.

[0068] In use, a user tears the plastic film 70 along the perforated line 72 in order to separate the plastic film 70 into the first portion 74 and the second portion 76. This may be accomplished by the user inserting his or her thumb into the perforated line 72 and pulling the first and second portions 74, 76 apart. The user then discards the second portion 76, leaving the first portion 74 to protect the paper product container 30, and any paper product 46 contained within, from any liquid present on the surface on which the container 30 rests. The first portion 74 protects at least the bottom wall 44 of the container 30 and may also protect portions of side walls 32, 34, 36, and/or 38 of the container 30.

[0069] In one embodiment, a pull tab (not shown) is provided adjacent the perforated line 72. The pull tab is provided so that a user may grab the pull tab to open up the perforated line 72, similar to opening a cigarette package.

[0070] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid shield member for a paper product container, comprising a water impermeable tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray.
 2. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the tray is of a shape and a size so that the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray.
 3. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container fits within and contacts at least one inner surface of at least one side wall of the tray.
 4. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls; and wherein the paper product is frictionally retained by the tray so that a plurality of side walls of the container fit within and contact a plurality of inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray.
 5. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls; and wherein at least a portion of at least one side wall of the tray has an inner dimension about equal to an outer dimension of at least one side wall of the container.
 6. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls; and wherein outer dimensions of the plurality of side walls of the tray are about equal to outer dimensions of side walls of the container and maximum respective thicknesses of two opposing side walls of the tray.
 7. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the at least one side wall of the tray is greater than or equal to about {fraction (1/32)} inch.
 8. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the at least one side wall of the tray is greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch.
 9. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about {fraction (3/32)} inch.
 10. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 9, wherein the thickness of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch.
 11. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes at least one contact portion capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container; and wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one contact portion.
 12. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 11, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one rib extending inwardly from an inner surface of the at least one side wall of the tray; and wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that the at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one rib.
 13. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 12, wherein the tray further includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of ribs extending inwardly from inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray; and wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts at least one rib of the plurality of ribs.
 14. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 11, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one indentation, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes the at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one indentation.
 15. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 14, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of indentations, wherein a plurality of the side walls of the tray each includes at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts at least one indentation of the plurality of indentations.
 16. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about ½ of the height of a respective at least one side wall of the container.
 17. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is greater than or equal to about ⅛ inch.
 18. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 17, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is greater than or equal to about {fraction (3/16)} inch.
 19. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 1, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about ¾ inch.
 20. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 19, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about {fraction (11/16)} inch.
 21. A liquid shield member for a paper product container, comprising: a water impermeable tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes at least one contact portion extending inwardly that is capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the contact portion of the at least one side wall of the tray.
 22. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 21, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one rib extending inwardly from an inner surface of the at least one side wall of the tray; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one rib.
 23. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 22, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of ribs extending inwardly from inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts at least one rib of the plurality of ribs.
 24. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 23, wherein the tray includes at least two side walls and at least two ribs, wherein a rib extends inwardly from an inner surface of each of the at least two side walls of the tray; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least two side walls of the container each contact a rib of the at least two ribs.
 25. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 23, wherein the tray includes four side walls and four ribs, wherein a rib extends inwardly from an inner surface of each side wall of the tray; wherein the paper product container comprises four side walls; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that each side wall of the container contacts a rib of the four ribs.
 26. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 22, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (30/1000)} inch.
 27. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 26, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch.
 28. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 22, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (100/1000)} inch.
 29. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 28, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch.
 30. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 22, wherein the at least one rib comprises at least one of a trapezoid shape, a U-shape, a triangular shape, an arcuate shape, a curvilinear shape, and a half-circle shape.
 31. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 22, wherein the at least one rib is formed integrally with the at least one side wall.
 32. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 22, wherein the at least one rib is formed separately from the at least one side wall, and is attached to the at least one side wall.
 33. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 21, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one indentation, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes the at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the at least one indentation.
 34. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 33, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of indentations, wherein a plurality of the side walls of the tray each includes at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts at least one indentation of the plurality of indentations.
 35. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 34, wherein the tray includes at least two side walls and at least two indentations, wherein each of the at least two side walls of the tray includes an indentation extending inwardly; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that at least two side walls of the container each contact an indentation of the at least two indentations.
 36. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 34, wherein the tray includes four side walls and four indentations, wherein each side wall of the tray includes an indentation extending inwardly; wherein the paper product container comprises four side walls; and wherein the paper product container fits within the tray so that each side wall of the container contacts an indentation of the four indentations.
 37. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 33, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (30/1000)} inch.
 38. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 37, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch.
 39. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 33, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (100/1000)} inch.
 40. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 39, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch.
 41. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 33, wherein the at least one indentation comprises at least one of a trapezoid shape, a U-shape, a triangular shape, an arcuate shape, a curvilinear shape, and a half-circle shape.
 42. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 21, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about ½ of the height of a respective at least one side wall of the container.
 43. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 21, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is greater than or equal to about ⅛ inch.
 44. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 43, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is greater than or equal to about {fraction (3/16)} inch.
 45. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 21, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about ¾ inch.
 46. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 45, wherein the height of the at least one side wall of the tray is less than or equal to about {fraction (11/16)} inch.
 47. A liquid shield member for a paper product container, comprising: a plastic film material wrapped around at least a portion of the container, wherein the film material is perforated to form a first portion and a second portion; wherein the second portion of the film material is removed from the container; and wherein the first portion of the film material remains covering at least a bottom wall of the container.
 48. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 47, wherein the first portion of the film material also covers at least portions of side walls of the container.
 49. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 47, wherein the film material is perforated to form a perforated line around a circumference of the container.
 50. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 49, wherein the perforated line is positioned greater than or equal to about ⅛ inch from the bottom wall of the container.
 51. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 50, wherein the perforated line is positioned greater than or equal to about {fraction (3/16)} inch from the bottom wall of the container.
 52. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 49, wherein the perforated line is positioned less than or equal to about ¾ inch from the bottom wall of the container.
 53. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 52, wherein the perforated line is positioned less than or equal to about {fraction (11/16)} inch from the bottom wall of the container.
 54. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 47, wherein the film material is a shrink-wrap film that is shrunk wrap around at least a portion of the container before the second portion is removed from the container.
 55. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 47, wherein the film material is wrapped tightly around at least a portion of the container and then sealed by heat before the second portion is removed from the container.
 56. The liquid shield member for a paper product container of claim 47, wherein an adhesive is provided to adhere the first portion of the film material to the container.
 57. A method of protecting a paper product container from liquid, wherein the paper product container is capable of being placed on a surface where liquid may be present, comprising surrounding at least a bottom wall of the container with a water impermeable shield member.
 58. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 57, wherein the shield member also surrounds portions of side walls of the container.
 59. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 57, further comprising placing a cover shell over the container and the shield member.
 60. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 57, wherein the shield member comprises a water impermeable tray, wherein the tray includes at least one side wall and a bottom wall; and wherein surrounding at least the bottom wall of the container with the shield member comprises placing the paper product container within the tray so that the paper product container is frictionally retained by the at least one side wall of the tray, wherein the at least one side wall and the bottom wall of the tray protect at least the bottom wall of the container.
 61. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 60, wherein the tray is of a shape and a size so that the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray.
 62. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 60, wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container fitting within and contacting at least one inner surface of at least one side wall of the tray.
 63. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 60, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes a plurality of side walls of the container fitting within and contacting a plurality of inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray.
 64. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 60, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes at least one contact portion capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting the at least one contact portion.
 65. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 64, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one rib extending inwardly from an inner surface of the at least one side wall of the tray; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes the at least one side wall of the container contacting the at least one rib.
 66. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 65, wherein the tray further includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of ribs extending inwardly from inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting at least one rib of the plurality of ribs.
 67. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 64, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one indentation, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes the at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting the at least one indentation.
 68. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 67, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of indentations, wherein a plurality of the side walls of the tray each includes at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting at least one indentation of the plurality of indentations.
 69. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 57, wherein surrounding at least the bottom wall of the container with the water impermeable member includes: wrapping a plastic film material around at least a portion of the container, wherein the film material includes perforations; tearing the film material along the perforations to separate the film material into a first portion and a second portion; and removing the second portion of the film material from the container, while the first portion of the film material remains covering at least the bottom wall of the container.
 70. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 69, further comprising placing a cover shell over the container after the second portion of the film material has been removed.
 71. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 69, wherein after the second portion of the film material is removed, the first portion of the film material also covers portions of side walls of the container.
 72. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 69, wherein the film material is perforated to form a perforated line around a circumference of the container; and wherein tearing the film material includes tearing the film material along the perforated line around the circumference of the container.
 73. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 69, wherein wrapping the film material includes shrink wrapping a shrink-wrap film material around at least a portion of the container.
 74. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 69, wherein wrapping the film material includes wrapping the film material tightly around at least a portion of the container and then sealing the film by heat around at least a portion of the container.
 75. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 69, wherein an adhesive is provided to adhere the first portion of the film material to the container.
 76. A method of protecting a paper product container from liquid, wherein the paper product container is capable of being placed on a surface where liquid may be present, comprising: providing a water impermeable tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes at least one contact portion that is capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container; and placing the paper product container within the tray so that at least one side wall of the container contacts the contact portion, wherein the at least one side wall and the bottom wall of the tray protect at least a bottom wall of the container.
 77. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 76, further comprising placing a cover shell over the container and the tray.
 78. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 76, wherein the tray is of a shape and a size so that the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray.
 79. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 76, wherein the paper product container is frictionally retained by the tray so that at least one side wall of the container fits within and contacts the at least one contact portion of the at least one side wall of the tray.
 80. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 76, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls; wherein a plurality of side walls of the tray each includes at least one contact portion that is capable of contacting a side wall of the paper product container; and wherein the paper product is frictionally retained by the tray so that a plurality of side walls of the container fit within the plurality of side walls of the tray so that a plurality of side walls of the container contact a plurality of contact portions of the side walls of the tray.
 81. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 76, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises a portion of an inner surface of the at least one side wall of the tray.
 82. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 76, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one rib extending inwardly from an inner surface of the at least one side wall of the tray; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting the at least one rib.
 83. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 82, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of ribs extending inwardly from inner surfaces of a plurality of the side walls of the tray; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting at least one rib of the plurality of ribs.
 84. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 83, wherein the tray includes at least two side walls and at least two ribs, wherein a rib extends inwardly from an inner surface of each of the at least two side walls of the tray; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least two side walls of the container each contacting a rib of the at least two ribs.
 85. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 83, wherein the tray includes four side walls and four ribs, wherein a rib extends inwardly from an inner surface of each side wall of the tray; wherein the paper product container comprises four side walls; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes each side wall of the container contacting a rib of the four ribs.
 86. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 82, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (30/1000)} inch.
 87. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 86, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch.
 88. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 82, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (100/1000)} inch.
 89. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 88, wherein the at least one rib extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch.
 90. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 82, wherein the at least one rib comprises at least one of a trapezoid shape, a U-shape, a triangular shape, an arcuate shape, a curvilinear shape, and a half-circle shape.
 91. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 82, wherein the at least one rib is formed integrally with the at least one side wall.
 92. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 82, wherein the at least one rib is formed separately from the at least one side wall, and is attached to the at least one side wall.
 93. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 76, wherein the at least one contact portion comprises at least one indentation, wherein the at least one side wall of the tray includes the at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting the at least one indentation.
 94. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 93, wherein the tray includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of contact portions comprised of indentations, wherein a plurality of the side walls of the tray each includes at least one indentation extending inwardly; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least one side wall of the container contacting at least one indentation of the plurality of indentations.
 95. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 94, wherein the tray includes at least two side walls and at least two indentations, wherein each of the at least two side walls of the tray includes an indentation extending inwardly; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes at least two side walls of the container each contacting an indentation of the at least two indentations.
 96. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 94, wherein the tray includes four side walls and four indentations, wherein each side wall of the tray includes an indentation extending inwardly; wherein the paper product container comprises four side walls; and wherein placing the paper product container within the tray includes each side wall of the container contacting an indentation of the four indentations.
 97. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 93, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (30/1000)} inch.
 98. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 97, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance greater than or equal to about {fraction (40/1000)} inch.
 99. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 93, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (100/1000)} inch.
 100. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 99, wherein the at least one indentation extends inwardly a distance less than or equal to about {fraction (90/1000)} inch.
 101. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 93, wherein the at least one indentation comprises at least one of a trapezoid shape, a U-shape, a triangular shape, an arcuate shape, a curvilinear shape, and a half-circle shape.
 102. A method of protecting a paper product container from liquid, wherein the paper product container is capable of being placed on a surface where liquid may be present, comprising: wrapping a plastic film material around at least a portion of the container, wherein the film material includes perforations; tearing the film material along the perforations to separate the film material into a first portion and a second portion; and removing the second portion of the film material from the container, while the first portion of the film material remains covering at least a bottom wall of the container.
 103. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 102, further comprising placing a cover shell over the container after the second portion of the film material has been removed.
 104. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 102, wherein after the second portion of the film material is removed, the first portion of the film material also covers portions of side walls of the container.
 105. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 102, wherein the film material is perforated to form a perforated line around a circumference of the container; and wherein tearing the film material includes tearing the film material along the perforated line around the circumference of the container.
 106. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 105, wherein an adhesive is provided to adhere the first portion of the film material to the container.
 107. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 106, wherein the adhesive is a continuous line of adhesive provided around the circumference of the container at a height below the perforated line.
 108. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 106, wherein the adhesive is a non-continuous line of adhesive provided around the circumference of the container at a height below the perforated line.
 109. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 102, wherein wrapping the film material includes shrink wrapping a shrink-wrap film material around at least a portion of the container.
 110. The method of protecting a paper product container from liquid of claim 102, wherein wrapping the film material includes wrapping the film material tightly around at least a portion of the container and then sealing the film by heat around at least a portion of the container. 